The United Democratic Party (UDP) has expressed deep concern over the arrest and detention of members of the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) group, calling for their immediate release and urging authorities to respect citizens’ constitutional right to protest.
The UDP, in no uncertain terms, criticized the law enforcement for detaining over a dozen GALA members before their protest even began. The Office of the IGP denied the group permit to protest without providing any official explanation.
“From our sources, over a dozen members of the group, who gathered in a public place, were arrested before they even started to protest and charged for unlawful assembly,” the UDP said in a statement released Thursday evening.
According to the Gambia’s biggest opposition party, 17 individuals were taken into custody and their whereabouts remain unclear. While the Gambia Police Force claimed in a press release that the detainees were being held at the Police Headquarters, both media and eyewitness accounts suggest they have since been moved to an undisclosed location.
“This is of serious concern. We do not live in a police state, and if people are accused of violating the law, they should be subject to due process and legal representation—not held at undisclosed locations,” the UDP said.
The party called on the IGP to act within the bounds of the law and uphold the fundamental rights of Gambians. It also expressed alarm over reports of more planned protests and warned against further escalation of tensions.
“We urge the IGP to take the path to a peaceful resolution through dialogue and avoid further escalation,” said the UDP .
Calling for the immediate release of those arrested and the dropping of all charges, the UDP urged the police to engage with the GALA group and agree on a new date for the protest, with proper arrangements to ensure public safety.
“Citizens have a right to protest, and any denial of a permit must be contingent upon serious public safety concerns and/or manpower constraints for the police,” the party asserted.
It also reiterated the need for transparency in the matter that triggered the protests, calling on the government to fully disclose details of the sale and disposal of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh.
“Complete transparency, as required of the state, will resolve this issue,” the statement concluded.
The GALA group has been vocal in its demand for accountability and transparency over the management of Jammeh’s assets which, they believe, have been misappropriated.
As tensions rise, political observers and civil society groups are urging the government to embrace open dialogue, ensure due process, and safeguard the democratic freedoms enshrined in the Gambian Constitution.
